Jon Butcher Axis rocks Spire Center

jaymiller

Sunday

Apr 8, 2018 at 5:22 AMApr 8, 2018 at 8:24 AM

“Welcome to the rock show!” Jon Butcher said a couple of times Saturday night, and the near-capacity crowd of about 200 fans at the Spire Center in Plymouth responded with hearty cheers each time, not because they were surprised so much, as just eager to hear his special brand of rock.

Butcher and his classic trio format, The Jon Butcher Axis, delivered a scorching 75-minute show that was loaded with his past favorites, and some of his searing Jimi Hendrix covers. Butcher, now 62, was in fine voice and his guitar work was as scintillating as ever, with marvelous tone, superb articulation and a melodic sense that always made his solos something to savor.

Butcher formed the Axis in 1979, and original bassist Dr. Chris Martin was in the group Saturday night, along with drummer John Anthony, who's also a monster at his instrument. The trio's hard rock-with-soul sound made them a widely popular draw around Boston over the next decade or so,they were signed to a major label, and opened national tours for the likes of The J. Geils band, Rush, Def Leppard, Scorpions and INXS.

But like so many major label acts, the Axis wasn't getting rich by any means and disbanded in 1991. Butcher, who by then had relocated to the West Coast, threw himself into other projects, from solo records, to a couple albums leading the studio supergroup Barefoot Servants with iconic bassist Leland Sklar, to founding his own studio for music production and film and tv scoring. Butcher's Electric Factory produced music that has landed on soundtracks for tv shows like “Deadwood,” “Ugly Betty” and My Name Is Earl.”

After a divorce, Butcher moved back to New England in late 2010, settling in Gloucester, and establishing Electric Factory X in Boston to continue his production work. He did an album with old pal Charlie Farren (as “FBI”), performed with the Chris Pierce Band, and also re-formed the Axis with Martin, originally using FarrenHeit's former drummer, Muzzy. Just last year Butcher released his 19th album, “2 Roads East.”

Butcher often demurred from the frequent Hendrix comparisons, feeling it was just an obvious and easy description for another black rock guitarist. But in truth, he really does have a knack for interpreting the Hendrix material, and is probably a better singer with more range. The half dozen Hendrix and Hendrix-related songs the Axis did Saturday night were among the most dynamic and most loudly appreciated numbers in the 14-song set.

The Axis opened with the lively blues-rocker “Only Life Can Take a Life,” which was a single off their first album, and features some astral guitar licks among its driving pop-rock feel. At its conclusion Butcher softly explained the song had been their first video back then. “It was meant as an anti-gun violence statement..and that was 1982,” he said.

Martin and Anthony really stood out on the fiery charge through “Manic Depression,” which was the first Hendrix tune done Saturday. Butcher's own “Its Only Words,” shifted into a bit more soulful direction, and a song apparently from the band Johanna Wild (the band Butcher first played in) “cats Go Crazy” even took a swerve into a funkier flavor.

Butcher's power ballad “Wishes” was a certain highlight, an evocative and soaring vocal over a pulsating beat, enhanced by another poignant guitar solo. The instrumental “Sentinel” was a master class in power chords to build a roaring framework, and then delicate melody lines to make it shine, and it prompted a standing ovation at its conclusion.

The Axis performed the Hendrix-identified “Red House” as a slow blues, with a Butcher guitar solo taking it into more contemporary rock territory–much like Hendrix, yet with his own soulful and smartly crafted stamp on it. The driving rocker “Ocean in Motion” was just vibrant fun with another dollop of funk, and more than a few fans were probably wishing there was a dance floor.

The Jon Butcher Axis take on “Little Wing” leaned more to the Hendrix version than the Derek and the Dominos version, but Butcher's tender melodic filigrees built a special contrast to the rumbling bass and drums. Butcher seemed to be having a blast when he did Hendrix' “If 6 Were 9,” amping up his solo to otherworldy heights. That tune never quite ended, but just rather melted into a gloriously howling “Wild Thing,” with Butcher's booming voice the perfect mix of humor and passion, and a blazing guitar solo to end the regular set.

For encores, the Axis did a frenetic romp through Buddy Holly's “Not Fade Away,” and then delivered another visceral kick with the soul-rocker “Let Me Lean On You.”

“I'm kind of amazed all you people remember me,” Butcher said at one point. But music like last night's is hard to forget, and acts like The Jon Butcher Axis forge lasting memories.

The night opened with a 35-minute set from Hirsh Gardner, in a duo with electric guitarist Joe Feloni. Gardner is known to rock fans as the drummer in the band New England, another 1980s area favorite. (For fans who wouldn't remember them, New England might be viewed as a cross between the band Boston and Bon Jovi, playing smartly crafted arena rock.) But these days Gardner is singing and playing acoustic guitar, and his strong and clear baritone is really effective. His own “Wasteland of Broken Hearts,” from an early 2000s solo record, was a lively rocker, with Feloni's impressive guitar fire adding to it. Their “Whiter Shade of Pale” cover was respectful and wistful, with Gardner on keyboards. Gardner's newer “If You Want to Talk” used all that rock energy in a kind of power ballad. The duo concluded with New England's biggest single, “Don't Ever Want to Lose Ya,” to a warm and loud audience reaction.

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